Jena High School

Jena High School is a public high school located in Jena, Louisiana, serving students from LaSalle Parish. The school is part of the LaSalle Parish School Board and has a diverse student body from surrounding areas, including Olla, Louisiana, Urania, Louisiana, and Trout, Louisiana. Jena High School has a rich history, with notable events such as the Jena Six incident, which drew national attention from CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times. The school has also been supported by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

● History

Jena High School was established in the early 20th century, with the first graduating class in 1926. The school has undergone significant changes over the years, including the desegregation of schools in 1969, as mandated by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Supreme Court of the United States decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The school has also been influenced by local events, such as the Jena Six incident, which involved students from Jena High School and was covered by national media outlets like MSNBC, Fox News, and ABC News. The incident led to widespread protests and rallies, including those organized by Al Sharpton and the National Action Network. The school has also been supported by local organizations, such as the Jena Chamber of Commerce and the LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Office.

● Campus

The Jena High School campus is located on East Oak Street in Jena, Louisiana, and features a range of facilities, including a gymnasium, football stadium, and track and field complex. The campus is also home to the Jena High School Auditorium, which hosts events such as concerts, plays, and graduation ceremonies. The school is situated near other local landmarks, including the LaSalle Parish Courthouse, Jena Town Hall, and First Baptist Church of Jena. The campus has undergone renovations and expansions over the years, with support from organizations like the Louisiana Department of Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

● Academics

Jena High School offers a range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses in subjects like English literature, calculus, and biology. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has been recognized for its academic achievements by organizations like the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Louisiana Association of Principals. Students at Jena High School have the opportunity to participate in programs like Dual Enrollment with Louisiana State University at Alexandria and Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The school has also partnered with local businesses, such as International Paper and Georgia-Pacific, to provide students with career training and internship opportunities.

● Extracurricular Activities

Jena High School offers a range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams like football, basketball, and baseball. The school's athletic teams, known as the Jena Giants, compete in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and have won championships in sports like track and field and wrestling. Students can also participate in clubs and organizations like the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, and Future Farmers of America. The school has hosted events like the Jena High School Homecoming and the LaSalle Parish Fair, which attract visitors from surrounding areas, including Alexandria, Louisiana, Pineville, Louisiana, and Marksville, Louisiana.

● Notable Alumni

Jena High School has a number of notable alumni, including Terry Bradshaw, a former National Football League quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other notable alumni include Billy Cannon, a former Heisman Trophy winner who played for Louisiana State University, and Jimmie Davis, a former Governor of Louisiana who was also a country music singer. The school has also produced successful individuals in fields like business, law, and medicine, including graduates of Harvard University, Yale University, and Tulane University. Alumni of Jena High School have gone on to achieve success in a range of fields, from entertainment to politics, and have been recognized by organizations like the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Sciences.

Category:High schools in Louisiana